Wrapping machine



WRAPPING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1935 s Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORN EYS April 1938. c. H. PETSKEYES 2,113,239

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 C mvsgyga I BY ATTORNEYS April 5, 1938.

IIIIIII .7 IIIIIII/ 147% ATTORNEYS 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR 340 c. H. PETSKEYES WRAPPING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1935' 'IIIIIIII April 5, 1938.

c. H. PETSKEYES 2,113,239

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1935 s Sheets-Sheet 5 I Zmvrzrggg v BY W? ATTORNEYS April 5, 1938. I c. H. PETSKEYES 2,113,239

I WRAPPING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR wfilflai ATTORNEYS April 1938. c. H. PETSKEYES I 2,113,239

WRAPPING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed June 5, 1935 ATTORNEYS April 5, 1938. c. H. PETSKEYES WRAPPING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 5,

v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- 2,113,239 WRAPPING MACHINE Charles H. Petskeyes, Davenport, Iowa, assignor to Micro-Westco, Inc., Bettendorf, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Application June 5, 1935, Serial No. 25,097

22 Claims. (01. 164-49) chine with a. web or wrapper feeding means which is bodily movable for predetermining'the discharge position of the wrapper, and in which such means will-not cause feeding of the wrapper 15 during such movement.

- A further object is to provide a wrapping ma- 30 the wrapping machine which includes the web feeding and transferring mechanism, other portions of the machine being omitted;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the cam and mechanism for operating the cutter blade and 35 taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 5;-

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is an enlarged, side elevation of mechanism for operating the feed rolls, portions of the 40 same being broken away and sectioned;

Fig. '7 is a section taken on line l-fl of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7 showing the overrunning clutch;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9' -9 of Fig. 6; Fig. 10 is a section taken approximately on line Ill-l of Fig.- 2; 1

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are fragmentary views similarto Fig. 2, showing different relative positions 50 of the feed mechanism; Fig. 14 is afragmentary view, partially d agrammatic, showing the means which engages with the web carrier to place the web under ten.- sion during the transfer to the wrapping sta- 5 tion;

,the side frames I.

Fig. 15 is a section taken on line l5l5 of 81 1 Fig. 16 is a section taken on line l6l6 of Fig. 15;

Figs-17 to 20 are diagrammatic views showing 5 the travel of the wrapper from the feed rolls to the wrapping station.

7 Fig, 21 is a sectional view of a feed roll supporting carriage of modified construction;

Fig. 22 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 11

but showing a modified arrangement of parts;

Fig. 23 is a section taken approximately on line 23-23 of Fig. 21; Fig. 24 a view showing the additional smoothing roll 'of Fig. 21 in its inoperative position;-

and

Fig. 25 is a section taken on line 25 25 of Fig. 21. v

The. present invention concerns the means forfeeding wrapping material, such as plain or waxed paper, or regenerated cellulose, to a wrapping station. I

The wrappingmaterial A is carried in the form of a'roll 4 which is supported on suitable arms 5 carried by the side frames l,'and is passed over an idling roller 6 'to a material advancing mechanism mounted upon an adjustable carriage I.

When it isdesired to use a double thickness of wrapping material, additional wrapping material B, in the form of a roll 8, is rotatably supported on arms 9' carried by the rear ends of A reel I0 is also provided for supporting a narrow strip of paper 0 having advertising material thereon which may be fed with the material A and B.

If desired, any suitable means may be provided for circulating a refrigerant or cold air through the centers of the wrapping material rolls so as to cause hardening of the waxed surfaces of 40 the wrapping material and thereby minimize the accumulation of' wax on the working parts of the machine.

wrapping material to harden and. thereby prevent the accumulation of wax on the working parts of the machine. v

The carriage I also supports a pair of wrapping material advancing or feed rolls l3 which are journalled therein, the advancing rolls. [3 havrolls I4 adjacent the rolls I3 and also having their axes disposed in a common vertical plane. The wrapping material is conducted over the smoothing roll I2 and gripped by the feed rolls l3, suitable guide plates I being disposed between the smoothing roll I2 and feed rolls I3 to prevent sagging of the wrapping material between these rolls. The upper feed rolls I3 and. I4 are preferably of rubber having a metal core and the lower feed rolls I3 and I4 are preferably of metal whereby the wrapping material will be positively fed and will not slip during the feeding thereof.

The carriage I also carries the cutting means or knife blade I6, to be later described, the knife blade being disposed to operate. intermittently and to move between the pairs of rollers I3 and I4 to sever the wrapping material. The lower feed rolls I3 and I4 are provided with small toothed gears l1 and I8, respectively, which are meshed with a common idler gear I9 so that when the gear I! is driven by means of a drive gear 20 the gears l1 and I8 will be driven simultaneously and in the same direction. The upper rolls I3 and I4 are so positioned with respect to the lower rolls I3 and I4 that during the feeding of the wrapping material the wrapping material will be gripped between the rolls of each pair and advanced toward the wrapping mechanism.

The rolls l3, at their ends opposite the gear H, are provided with intermeshed pinions, andsimilarly the rolls I4 are provided with intermeshed pinions 22 so that the upper rolls I3 and I4 will be positively driven by the lower rolls I3 and I4. The forward rolls I4 are so geared to the rear rolls I3, or are of such diameter that they may rotate at a slightly greater speed than the rear rolls I3, whereby the wrapping material extending between the pairs of rolls may be placed under tension in order to facilitate the operation of severing the wrapping material.

The shaft II, which carries the smoothing roll I2, is journalled'in the carriage I, and this shaft carries a drive gear 23 which is meshed with the gear 20, which is meshed with roll gear II. The shaft l I is rotated by means of a reciprocating mechanism, which is so arranged to provide a continuous feed of the wrapping material to the wrapping mechanism except for those momentary periods when the cutter blade I6 severs. the wrapping material to provide a sheet of wrapping material of predetermined length, and which mechanism is also so arranged that the speed of advancement of the wrapping material is accelerated and decelerated, respectively, just after and just prior to the operation of the cutter blade I6, so as to avoid any sudden stopping of the wrapping material being advanced to the wrapping mechanism.

The mechanism for rotating the shaft II is carried within a suitable housing 24 which is pivoted upon the shaft II. Slidably mounted within the housing 24 isa reciprocable element 25 having a longitudinal opening 26 therein The reciprocable element 25 is connected at its lower end with a crank arm 21 mounted on a drive The shaft 28 is provided with a sprockwhich receives the end of the shaft ll.

ing their axes in a common vertical plane, and an 9 additional pair of wrapping material advancing The reciprocable element 25 is provided at each side of the opening 26 with rack teeth 34 and 35 which mesh with pinions 36 and 31,- respectively, the pinions 36 and 31 being mounted upon short shafts 38 and 39, respectively, which are carried by the housing 24. The shafts 38 and 39 also carry freely rotatable pinions 48 and 4!, respectively, which mesh with a common pinion 42 secured to the shaft II. A driving connection in the form of an overrunning clutch 43 is provided between the pinions 36 and 40, and asimilar driving connection in the form of an overrunning clutch 44 is provided between the pinions 31 and 4 I. These overrunning clutch devices are preferably of the friction type, as indicated in Fig, 8, and so arranged that a driving connection is effected between the two pinions 3? and 4f or 36 and 40 only during the rotation of one of the pinions 36 or 31, as the case may be, in one direction. In other words,'the clutch devices act as free wheeling units which effect the drive during only one direction of rotation. Also, the clutch devices 43 and 44 are opposed to each other so that the clutch device 43 provides a driving connection between the pinions 36 and 40 upon one direction of travel of the reciprocable-element, and the clutch device 44 provides a driving connection between the pinions 31 and -l3 and I 4, by means of the chain of gears described, will always be driven in the same direction.

The cutter blade I6 is arranged to move vertically and upwardly'between the pairs of feed rolls I3 and I4 through a slot 46 provided in a suitable wrapping material support 41 disposed between the pairs of feed rolls I3 and I4. The cutter blade I6 severs the wrapping material at the time the crank 21 is at dead center at the end of each stroke, i. e., when the reciprocable element changes from one direction of travel to the other. At this time the feed rolls [3 and [4 are momentarily at rest.

The cutter blade I6 is detachably mounted upon a vertically reciprocable plate 48 which is guided at its ends in slots 49 formed in the sides of the carriage I. The plate 48 is preferably provided with an electric heating element 50 which transmits heat to the cutter blade I6 to melt and thereby prevent the accumulation of wax on the cutter blade.

The plate 48 is secured to a bracket 5| which is pivotally connected with a rocker arm 52 by means of a sliding member carried between the bifurcated ends of the rocker arm and riding in a slot in the bracket (see Fig. 10). The bifurcated ends of the rocker arm straddle the bracket 5! and the rocker arm is securely mounted on a pivoted shaft 53, the shaft 53 being pivotally supported by .the carriage I. The shaft 53 is provided with a lever 54 which is connected by means of a downwardly extending connecting rod 55 with one end of a pivoted double ended lever 56 (Fig. 2), a suitable coil spring 51 being employed :to urge the connecting rod 55 upwardly and maintainthe plate 48, which supports the cutter blade I6, in its downward position. The opposite end of the lever 56 is provided with a suitable cam surface or cam roller 58 which engages with a suitable cam 58 keyed to the rotatablehollow sleeve or shaft 32. The cam 59 is cylindrical except for a small cam projection 60 which en-- 2,118,339 ages with the cam roller 58 and through the of each stroke of the reciprocable element 25, i. e.,-

when the crank arm 21' is at one of its dead center positions. r

Because of the use of the reciprocable element 25, which'is actuated by the crank arm 21, the advancement of the wrapping material is substantially continuous except for the momentary period that the reciprocable element 25 changes from one direction of travel to the other, and at which time the cutter blade l6 severs the wrapping material. Also by using the reciprocable element 25 and the crank arm 21, the rate of travel of the wrapping material is gradually increased just prior to the next severing operation so as to prevent any sudden stoppage or sudden advancement'of the wrapping material; and thus avoid danger of tearing the wrapping material.

In order to provide for a change in length of ie sheet of wrapping material which is severed from the material advanced by the feeding rolls l3 and M, the stroke of the reciprocable element 25 is made adjustable, and this is accomplished j by adjusting the throw of the crank arm 21. The

Gil

crank arm 21 is provided with grooved guideways 21 which-slidably receive a block 62. 62 carries the crank .pin 63 to which the endof the reciprocable element 25 is pivoted, and is threaded to receive an axially immovable adjusting screw 64 carried by the crank'arm 21. The screw 64 is rotated within the crank arm by means of meshed gears 65, one of which is rotated by' a suitable hand wheel 66. 'By rotating the hand wheel 66 the block 62, which carries the crank pin 63, may be moved toward or away from the axis of the shaft 28 to decrease or increase the throw of the crank, as the case may be, and thus predetermine the degree of rotation of the feed rolls, and thereby predetermine the length of wrapping material to be advanced by these rolls.

If desired, the crank pin block 62 may be provided with an indexing finger 61 which may be set according-t0 index marks 61a appearing on the crank arm, which correspond with difierent lengths of the wrapping material.

In order to properly locate a sheet of wrapping material, advanced and severed from the source of supply over the station where wrapping of the article is started, the carriage 1 is slidably and adjustably supported on suitable guides 68 carried by the side frames. Adjustment of the carriage 1 is obtained by means of screws 69 which are threaded into depending brackets 18 carried by the carriage and which are operated by means of suitable gearing 1| from a shaft 12 extending between the side frames I, the shaft having a suitable hand wheel 13 arranged externally of one of the side frames which can be turnedto cause the carriage 1 to travel forwardly or rear-,

wardly with respect to the wrapping mechanism, and thereby to serve as a means for properly locating the sheet or sheets of wrapping material with respect to the article to be wrapped. This movement also provides a means for locating the discharge position of the wrapping material whereby the overlapping position of the ends of the material with respect to the bottom of the article being wrapped can be predetermined.

The block In order to compensate for the forward or rearward movement of the carriage ,1 and prevent advancement or retardation of. the wrapping material by the feed rolls l3 and M during this movement of the carriage, the carriage is connected by linkages, including a bell crank lever 14 and links15 and 16, with an arm 11 pivoted on the crank shaft 28 adjacent the sprocket 29.

This arm 11 carries spaced idler rolls or sprockets 18 which engage withthe opposite driving and return portions of the chain belt 38 with respect to the axis of the crank shaft 28, the arm 11, through the engagement of the chain belt 38 with the idlers'18, will cause the crank shaft 28 to rotate an amount proportional to the distance traveled by the'shaft H, and thereby prevent rotation of the shaft and the consequent rotation of the feed rolls l3 and It, thus preventing advancement of the wrapping material during adjustment of the carriage 1.

The drive mechanism for. the wrapping material feed mechanism permits the wrapping mar terial to feed continuously except for the momentary period -of the severing operation without jerking as the rate of feed decelerates just prior to the cutting operation and gradually accelerates;

just after the cutting operation. This prevents tearing of the wrapping material and provides for a more eiiicient feeding of the same. P

Referring to Figs. 2, "11, and 1'7 to 20, the wrapping material, as it leaves the forward feed rolls I4, is. fed to a mechanism which carries and supports the same up until the time the article, such as a loaf of bread D, indicated in Fig. 20, is

moved to it wrapping position. This mechanismincludes forward and rearward spaced carrier shafts and BI respectively, the axis bf forward shaft 80 being slightly above the plane of travel of the wrapping material between the feed rolls l3 and |4,.and the rearward shaft being disposed some distance below ethe forward shaft 80 and near the feed rolls It. -The shafts 80 and 8| are provided with sprockets 82, over which spaced carrier chains 83 are trained. Suitable idlers 84 .are preferably arranged in pairs so that, during advancement of the wrapping material, one

pair acts to support and carry the sheet of material being advanced, and the succeeding pair teriaL' I Y Extending transversely of theside frames and between the advancing and return portions of the carrier, is a suitable guide element 86, which also supports the sheet of material during its acting to carry'and support the next sheet of ma- ;travel, the element 86 being slightly in advance of. the vertical planel'of the rearward shaft 8|.

The rearward shaft 8| is provided with a pinion 81 which is meshed with a gear 88 (Fig. 2)- rotatably mounted upon a shaft 89, the gear 88 carrying a sprocket 98 which is driven by means of T .a chain belt 9| from a sprocket 92' which is carried by a short shaft 93, as shown in Figs. 15 and 16. The shaft 93 is carriedby a bracket 94secured to one of the side frames l and is provided with a pinion 95' which is arranged to mesh with a Geneva gear 96, the Geneva gear being mounted on the sleeve 32, which is rotatably supported on the main drive shaft 33.

The Geneva gear 96 is of the type in which approximately one-half of the circumference is provided with gear teeth so that upon its rotation through the rotation of the sleeve 32, as previously described, the carrier comprising the. chains 83 chains 83 of the carrier where, during the operation of the carrier, the under surface of the wrapping material is engaged by the first flight or bar 85 of one pair of flights which are moving in an upward direction. This first flight 85 then raises the wrapping material and carries it over the horizontal support 86 with the front edge of the wrapping material trailing the portion engaged by the first flight, as indicated in Fig. 18. During the continued operation of the carrier the pair offlights or bars carry the wrapping material to the position indicated in Fig. 19, the second flight or bar 850. supporting the forward or leading end of the wrapping material and the first flight of this pair of flights having moved beyond the leading edge of the wrapping material.

In order to assist the advancement of the wrapping material from the forward feed rolls I4 and to direct the same into a position to be engaged by the cross bars 85 and 85a of the carrier, it is preferred to provide a hinged plate 91 having an edge which serves as a wiper for the lower feed roll I4 to prevent the accumulation of wax thereon, and also to prevent the wrapping maslightly below the plate 91, so that the wrapping material is positively directed into a position to be engaged by the cross bars 85 and 85a of the carrier. As the cross bars 85 and 85a, of the carrier move during operation of the carrier, they engage with the under side of the plate 98 and pivot the same until they clear the plate, as indicated in Fig. 13, thus carrying the wrapping material into its substantially horizontal position. Similarly, when the carriage 'I is moved into its forward adjusted position, the cross bars 85 and 8511 may also engage with the pivoted plate 91 and raise the plate during operation to clear the same. In order to return the plate 98 to the position indicated in Fig. 11, it is preferred to employ a suitable tension spring 99, a suitable stop means I00 being provided to limit the return movement of the plate 98..

It is also desirable, in the case of the upper forward feed roll I4, to provide a means for preventing the wrapping material from adhering to or curling about this roll. This is accomplished by forming the upper roll I4 with circumferential grooves IOI and providing substantially U-shaped guards I02 which are located in these grooves, and have'their ends secured to the carriage 1 above the axis of the roll, which will then prevent the wrapping material from adhering to the roll.

It is also preferred to provide means in the form of a scraper plate I03 adjacent the lower feed roll 13 for scraping any wax that may have terial carrier.

accumulated thereon during the operation of advancing the wrapping material.

The articles to be wrapped are fed into the machine by means of an endless conveyor I04 which transfers them to an elevating table I05, which table is pivoted to a-swingable arm I06. The arm I06 is carried by two levers I01 and I08 pivoted thereto. The lever I08 is pivoted at one end to the arm I06, and at its opposite end to a shaft I09 carried by the side frames. The lever I0'I is considerably longer than the lever I08 and is pivoted, by means of a pivot pin IIO, to the lower cross member 3 and is provided with an .angular extension III which carries a cam roller H2 which engages with an internal cam surface II3 provided in a cam II4, so that during rotation of the cam H4 the elevating table I05 will be caused to swing through a curved path adlacent a curved guide plate or backstop II5 to the position indicated in Fig. 20.

A suitable wrapping material tensioning mechanism is provided for smoothing out the wrapping material as it is being moved to the position indicated in Figs. 18 and 19. This mechanism, as shown in Fig. 14, cooperates with the Wrapping material carrier, previously described, and includes a pair of levers IIB which are pivoted to brackets II'I mounted upon members IIB. Pivoted at H9 to these levers II6, above their pivotal axes, are a pair of L-shaped levers I20 having an interconnecting rod I2I at the ends of the shorter legs I22 thereof, the end portions of the shorter legs I22 being provided with cam surfaces I23, which cam surfaces are disposable,duringam0vement of the pivotal levers I20, about their pivotal axes in the path of cross bar 85a of the wrapping material carrier conveyor, as indicated in Fig. 14.

The upper ends of the levers I I6 are connected with the upper ends of the levers I20 by means of coil springs I25 which tend to draw the upper ends of these levers toward each other. Also, the levers II6 are urged to pivot in a clockwise direction by means of coil springs I26 which are connected at one end to the side frames at I21 and at their opposite ends at I 28 above the pivotal axes of the levers I I6. The tendency of the levers to be moved in a clockwise direction is limited by means of lugs I29 carried by the levers I20, which are disposed to engage with stop pins I30, carried by the supporting structure for the wrapping ma- The maximum rearward position of the shorter legs I22 of the levers I 20 is indicated in Fig. 14, in which position the lugs I 29 are in engagement with the stop pins I30.

During the operation of the tensioning mechanism, the wrapping material, as it is being carried forwardly by the moving cross bar 850, of the wrapping material carrier, is engaged by the rod I2I which extends between the levers I20, so that during the continued movement of the cross bar 85a the wrapping material is firmly held under yieldable tension to keep the same smooth,

and also during the continued forward movement I of the cross bar 85a the levers I20 are pivoted about their pivotal axes I24 to the position subrelation with shaft 33, which causes the carrier chains 83 and feed rolls I3 and It to operate to move and advance. the leading end of the wrapping material in a depending position. The'first' flight 85 of the carrier then carries the wrapping material forwardly and at a predetermined-time the gripper bar I2I is disposed into the path of the second flight 85m so that, as the first flight advances beyond the leading end of the'wrapping material, the leading end is yieldably gripped between the bar IZI and second flight 85a, as indicated in Fig. 14;, the bar I2I moving forwardly with the second flight 85a. to place the wrapping material being advanced by the feed rolls under a slight tension. During this movement of the carrier the wrapping material has been severed by the cutter blade I6 and the elevator table Hi has'started to move the article which has been disposed thereon, upwardly.

Just prior to the time the article, during its upward travel, engages the wrapping material which has been carried to the wrapping station by the carrier, the bar I2I has released the wrapping material through engagement of the cam surfaces I 23 thereof with the second flight 85 Immediately after this release of the leadingend bf the wrapping material, the trailing end, which has been severed by the cutter blade It, is discharged from the forward feed rolls III. The wrapping operation is then begun, during the wrapping the elevator table I55 assumes its lowermost position and receives another article to be order to clearly show the parts described herein.

, Figs. 21 to 25 inclusive relate to a modified feed carriage construction having certain parts of improved construction which are not shown in my said co-pending application of which the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 20 hereof are a division. The parts shown in Figs. 21 to 25, however, carry the same numbers as corresponding parts shown in Figs. 1 to 29.

In the modified construction it will be noted that both of the upper feed rollers It and It are provided with a number of circumferential grooves its and a rod I II bent to appropriate shape is disposed to lie within corresponding grooves of the upper feed rollers, the rods MI being secured-to transversely extending bars IM- secured in any suitable manner to the carriage I.

The lower feed rollers IS and It are also provided with circumferential grooves M3. Two spaced members Mid and I65 are provided be tween the pairs of rollers I3 and It as shown in Fig. 2-1, the member Md being disposed in a plane below member M5 to support a series of fingers I45 which extend toward the lower. roller I3 and lle'within the grooves ass thereof. The carriage I also is provided with a transverse strip-like member M7 at its end to lie adjacent the lower roller It and support a series of fingers I46 which extend toward and lie within the grooves I43 of the lower roller It.

The rods IEI and fingers I46 and I46 function to prevent the ends of the wrapping material from guides curling about the feed rollers and act as tor the free ends of wrapping material.

The strip-like member HIis provided with a depending portion I49 which is attached to brackets I 50 which are secured to a member I5I secured to the forward frame portion I52 of the carriage I, as viewed in Fig. 21. Securely clamped 5 between the members I5I and. I 52 is a fiat spring metal plate I53 which is flexed to have its edge in scraping engagement with the lower feed roller I I. Also, clamped to the lower side of the wrapping material support I5 is a fiat spring metal plate I56 which is flexed to have itsedge in scraping engagement with the lower feed roller I5. The spring metal plates I53 and I54 yieldably engage the lower rollers I3 and I I and'rmove any foreign substance or wax that may have accumu- Iated thereon from the wrapping material.

A similar spring metal scraper plate I55 is secured to the rear end of the carriage I and is flexed to have its edge in scraping engagement with the smoothing roll I 2 to remove wax and foreign material therefrom.

In order to assist the web feeding action of the feed and advancing rollers I3 and I I and to provide a more positive feed of the wrapping material, I have associated an additional roll I56 with the smoothing roll I2. The roll I56 preferably has a resilient surface and is provided with extending shaft portions I5I which are journall'ed in bushings I55. The bushings I58 are slidably mounted in slots I59 provided in armsI6Il piv- 3 oted to the sides of the carriage I, the arms being connected by a cross bar I6I. Suitable, coil springs I62 are interposed between the bushings I58 and cross bar IM and screws I53 are carried by the'cro'ss bar I6I for adjusting the springs I62 for the desired pressure.

- Brackets I64 are secured to the sides of the carw riage I and roll actuating arms I65 are pivoted thereto by means of pivot pins I65. Each arm I65 has an elongated slot I6I of angular arrange ment which receives a pin I68 projecting from the adjacent pivoted roll carrying arm IGII.

Normally the arms or levers I65 are in the position shown inFig. 21, in which position they hold the roll I56 against the smoothing roll I2, the springs I62 holding theroll I 56 in engagement with roll I2 with the desired amount of pressure. The pin receiving slots IB'I of the levers I65 are so arranged that the pressure createdby springs I 62 will not cause the levers to pivot of themselves. However, the upper ends of the levers I maybe grasped and moved rearwardly to swing the'rolltI56 out of engagement with the roll I2 as indicated in Fig. 24.

Also, associated with the side, frames I are a 55 pair of brackets I59 which support an idler roll ing to iron out and eliminate any curved set in III! having its axis approximately in a plane passing through the axes of the rolls I2 and I56? The wrapping material to be fed and advanced passes over the idler IIII, then below roll I56 and 6 upwardly between rolls I2 and I56 and over roll I2 to the advancing rollers I3 and I4. Since the, roll I2 is driven and the roll I56 bears against the same with pressure, the wrapping material is gripped between-these rolls which assists the feed rolls I3 and It in advancing wrapping material from the source of supply. It will benoted that the wrapping material indicated in br'oke'noutline in Fig. 21 is engaged at one side with smpothing roll I2 and is engaged at the opposite side 70 with the auxiliary roll I56, the extent of engage ment with.'each roll being at least degrees of the circumference thereof. This provides for braking eflect on the wrapping material tendtion, as indicated in Fig. 22.

the amaterial which may have been occasioned by the rolling of the mateial into its roll, particularly at smaller diameters. In other words, the leading end of the wrapping material may have a tendency to curl or roll in one direction by reason of its tight rolling, and the rolls l2 and I56 tend to straighten the material. This is a material advantage in the present construction as the leading end of the wrapping material is advanced by the feed rolls I4 to a suspended position 'for engagement by the carrier. By straightening the wrapping material of the set which may have been occasioned, insurance is had that the leading end will move to its suspended position without curling, so that the leading end will properly drape over one of the cross bars a of the paper carrier for engagement by the bar I2I.

In the construction shown in Figs. 21 to 25, I have eliminated the plate 9'! shown in Fig. 11 and lengthened the pivoted plate 98 so that it will in any of the adjusted positions of the carriage 1, engage with resilient blocks I H which are mounted on plates or supports H2 secured to the depending portion MS of the transverse plate I41, spring means I13 being provided to yieldably hold the plate 98 in its downward posi- Resili'ent blocks I14 may also be provided on the under side of the plate 98. During operation of the machine, the leading end of the wrapping material, while in its depending position, is guided along the plate 98 as shown in Fig. 22, and as the carrier operates the first cross bar 85 thereof swings the plate 98 upwardly, and upon clearing the plate 98 engages the under side of the wrapping material and carries it upwardly.

Although a single embodiment of the invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as said horizontal bar during a wrapping operationwhile the material is in article-receiving position.

2. In a wrapping machine, a source of wrapping material, a pair of feed rolls for advancing wrapping material from said source to a downwardly suspended position, a supporting member, and a carrier including a pair of spaced horizontal bars movable through a path above said supporting member, the first of said bars during its movement being engageable with the under side of the suspended wrapping material the forward end thereof dropping over said first bar to carry the same over and above said supporting member thereby folding said wrapping material about said first bar so that the forward edge of the wrapping material trails the portion thereof engaged bysaid first bar, the; second of said bars upon continued movementof said first,

bar being disposable to supportthe leading end of the wrapping material.

3. In a wrapping machine, a source of wrapping material, a pair of feed rolls for advancing wrapping material from said source to a downwardly suspended position, and a carrier means for moving the material from its suspended to a wrapping, position, comprising a pair of endless conveyor elements and a pair of spaced bars extending between and carried by said elements, said elements being guided to move said bars in an upward direction and then in a forward direction away from said feed rolls, and a stationary supporting member disposed between the forward and return sides of said elements relatively close to said forward sides to support one end of the wrapping material during a wrapping operation, one of said bars during its movement by said elements being engageable with the under side of the suspended wrapping material to carry thesame upwardly and over said supporting member, both said bars-acting for a portion of their travel to carry said suspended material to a substantially horizontal position.

4. In a wrapping machine, a source of wrapping material, a pair of feed rolls for advancing wrapping material from said source to a downwardly suspended position, a supporting member, and a carrier including a pair of spaced horizontal bars movable through a path above said supporting member, the first of said bars during its movement being engageable with the under side of the suspended wrapping material to carry the same over and above said supporting member thereby folding the said wrapping material about said first bar so that the forward edge of the wrapping material trails the portion thereof engaged by said first bar and then to a horizontal position, the second of said bars upon continued movement of said first bar being disposable to support the leading end of the wrapping material.

5. In a wrapping machine, a source of wrapping material, a pair of feed rolls for advancing wrapping material from said source to a downwardly suspended position, and a carrier means for moving the material from its suspended to a substantially horizontal position, comprising a pair of endless conveyor elements and a pair of spaced bars extending between and carried by said elements, said elements being guided to move said bars in an upward direction and then in a forward direction away from said feed rolls, and a stationary supporting member disposed between the forward and. return sides of said elements relatively close to said forward sides, one of said bars during its movement by said elements being engageable with the under side of the suspended wrapping material to carry the same upwardly and over said supporting member, both said bars acting for a portion of their travel to carry said suspended material to a substantially horizontal position, said supporting member and the second of said bars supporting said wrapping material upon disengagement of the first of said bars therefrom.

6. In a wrapping machine, a source of wrapping material, a pair of feed rolls for advancing wrapping material from said source to a downwardlysecond of said bars upon continued movement of said first bar being disposable to support the leading end of the wrapping material, and means for intermittently moving said bars as a unit.

7 In a wrapping machine, a source of wrapping material, a-pair of feed rolls for advancing wrapping, material from said source to a downwardly forward and return sidesof said elements relaa pair of said bars upon each actuation of said tively close to said forward sides, one of said bars during its movement by said elements being engageable with the under side of the suspended wrapping material to carry the same upwardly ping material, a pair of feed rolls for advancing wrapping material from said source to a downwardly suspended position, and a carrier means for moving the material from its suspended to a substantially horizontal position, comprising a pair of endless conveyor elements and a pair of spaced bars extending between and carried by said elements, said elements being guided to move said bars in an upward direction and then in a forward direction away from said feed rolls, and a stationary supporting member disposed between the forward and return sides of said elements relatively close to said forward sides, one, of said bars during its movement by said elements being I engageable with the under side of the suspended wrapping material to carry the same upwardly and over said supporting member, both said bars acting for a portion of their travel to carry said suspended material to a'substantially horizontal position, said carrier means including an inter-' the first of said bars disengaged from the wrapping material and withthe second of said bars supporting the leading end of the wrapping material. 1

9. In a wrapping machine, a source of wrapping material, a pair of feed rolls for advancing wrapping material from said sourceto a downwardly suspended position, and a, carrier for moving the material from its suspended to a wrapping position, comprising conveyor elements, pairs of spaced bars carried by said elements, and drive means for intermittently actuating said carrier,

carrier being arranged to engage the under side of the wrapping material and while carrying it I forward in a direction away from said rolls to move it to a wrapping posltion 10.*In a wrapping machine, "a source of wrapping material, a pair of feed rolls for advancing wrapping material from said source to a downwardly suspended position, and a carrier for moving the material from its suspended to a wrap-' ping position, comprising conveyor elements, pairs of spaced bars carried by said elements, and drive means for intermittently actuating said carrier,

a pair of said bars upon each actuation of said carrier being arranged to engage the under side of the wrapping material and while carrying it forward in a direction away from said rolls to move it to a wrapping position, said drive means being arranged to stop said carrier-at a predetermined position with the second bar of the particular pair pf bars operative to engage the wrapping material prior tothe stopping ofsaid carrier, engaging and supporting the leading end of the wrapping material.

11.,In a wrapping machine, a pair of feed rolls for advancing wrapping material, a member movable through a predetermined path for engaging the under side of the material near its leading end and carrying the same while it is being advanced by said rolls, and a second member in the path of said first member and yieldably engageable with the upper surface of the material at-a predetermined position of said first member to yieldably hold the material between said members, said second member being movable with said first member for a portion of its travel. whereby toplace the material. being advanced under a tension. 7

12. In a wrapping machine, a pair of feed rolls for advancing wrapping material, a member movable through a predetermined path for engaging the under surface of said material near the leading end thereof while said material is being advanced by said rolls, a swingable bar in the path of movement of said member and engageable with the upper surface of saidmaterial at a pre-,

determined position of said member, and spring means yieldably urging said bar toward .said member to yieldablyhold said wrapping material between said member and bar, said bar being movable with said member for a portion of the d travel of said member, whereby to place the wrapping material being advanced by said rolls under a slight tension.

13. In a wrapping machine, a pair of feed rolls I for advancing wrapping'material, a member movable through a predetermined path for engaging the under side'of the material near its leading end and carrying the same while it is being advanced by said rolls, and a second member in the path ofsaid first memberand yieldably engageable with the upper surface of the material at a predetermined position of said first member to yieldably hold the material between said members, said second member being movable with said first member for a portion of its travel, whereby to place the material being advanced under a tension, said second member being arranged to release said material just prior to the discharge of said material from said feed rolls. 5 1

14. In a. wrapping machine, a source of wrapping material, a movable carriage, feed rolls on said carriage for withdrawing wrapping material from said source, means for driving said rolls, means for moving said carriage to adjust the positionof'the material to be discharged'by said rolls, and means for preventing advancement of wrapping material by said rolls during adjusting movement of said carriage.

15. In a wrapping machine, a source of wrapping material, a movable carriage, feed rolls on said carriage for advancing wrapping material" belt for said crankshaft, an arm swingable about the axis of said crankshaft, idlers on said arm 'engageable with the return and driving sides of said belt, and a linkage between said carriage and arm, whereby said arm upon adjusting movement of said carriage moves to cause said idlers to shorten one side and lengthen the other side of said drive belt and thereby prevent advancement of wrapping material by said feed rolls dur ing adjusting movement of said carriage.

17. In a wrapping machine a carrier for positioning a sheet of wrapping material for a wrapping operation comprising a horizontal member, means for moving said member through a predetermined path to engage the under surface of a sheet of suspended wrapping material and move the same to an article receiving position intermediate the end positions of said carrier, and means to arrest said movement of the wrapping material while suspended by said member in a position to be draped over an article in a wrapping operation. a

18. In a wrapping machine a carrier for positioning a sheet of wrapping material for a wrapping operation comprising a horizontal member, means for moving said member through a predetermined path to engage the under surface of a sheet of suspended wrapping material and move the same to an article receiving position intermediate the end positions of said carrier, means to arrest said movement of the wrapping material while suspended by said member in a position to be draped over an article in a wrapping operation, and feed means operative to feed a sheet of wrapping material to a position for engagement by said carrier during the positioning by the carrier of a previously fed sheet.

19. In a wrapping machine, feed means for advancing wrapping material, a carrier for intermittently positioning wrapping material for the wrapping operation, comprising a horizontal member, means for moving said member through a predetermined path to engage the under surface of a sheet of wrapping material partially advanced and move the same to an article receiving position intermediate the end positions of said carrier, said feed means actuated to continue to advance wrapping material after engagement by the ,carrier whereby said material is advanced during a portion of its movement to the article receiving position simultaneously by the carrier and the 'feed means, and means to arrest said movement of the wrapping material while suspended by said member in a position to be draped over an article in a wrapping operation.

20. In a wrapping machine having a source of wrapping material and feed rollers for advancing material from said source, a smoothing roll for engaging the material intermediate the source and feed rollers, an auxiliary roll journalled ad- J'acent the smoothing roll in pivoted arms, and a lever arranged to pivot said arms whereby to engage or disengage the rolls.

21. In a wrapping machine having a source of wrapping material and feed rollers for advancing material from said source, a smoothing roll for engaging the material intermediate thesource and feed rollers, an auxiliary roll journalled adjacent the smoothing roll in pivoted arms, a lever arranged to pivot said arms whereby to engage or disengage the rolls, and spring means for resil iently urging the engaged rolls together, said means arranged to be released upon disengagement of the rolls.

22. In a wrapping machine having a source of wrapping material and feed rollers for advancing material from said source, a smoothing roll for engaging the material intermediate the source and feed rollers, an auxiliary roll journalled adjacent the smoothing roll in pivoted arms, the plane of the axes of the smoothing and auxiliary rolls being at a substantial angle to the plane of the axes of the feed rollers whereby to guide the material through a sinuous path, and a lever arranged to pivot said arms whereby to engage or disengage the rolls.

CHARLES H. PETSKEYES. 

